Apron for use when treating small pigs



y 2, 1963 E. w. JENTER 3,095,576

APRON FOR USE WHEN TREATING SMALL PIGS Filed May 24, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet1 E llswor/h W. Jenfer INVENTOK,

BY M

July 2, 1963 E.W. JENTER APRON FOR USE WHEN TREATING SMALL PIGS 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 24, 1962 IN VEN TOR.

M w W. m m E United States Patent 3,095,576 APRON FOR USE WHEN TREATINGSMALL PIGS Ellsworth W. Jenter, Rte. 1, Arlee, Mont. Filed May 24, 1962,Ser. No. 197,367 I 3 Claims. (Cl. 251) The present invention isgenerally concerned with the treatment of small animals, such as babypigs, and more particularly with the provision of an apron having meansthereon for holding the pig while it is being worked on.

.In the raising of pigs, the necessity of providing extensivetreatmentfor baby pigs, from birth to approximately three weeks of age,generally results in a difiicult and time-consuming process usuallyrequiring the eiforts of at least two persons. This difliculty arisesfrom the necessity of both catching the elusive baby pig and thenrigidly holding it while performing any of a variety of operations suchas castrating, vaccinating, cutting needle teeth or giving oralmedications.

Accordingly, one of the primary objects of the present inventioninvolves the provision of a device consisting of an apron having meansthereon for positioning a baby pig within easy reach of the wearer ofthe apron.

In connection with the above object, another object of the inventionresides in the provision of a means for holding the baby pig in a mannerso as to prevent any movement while being treated.

Also, it is an object of the present invention to provide an aproncontaining the above noted features which can be worn in a manner so asto provide complete freedom of movement to the wearer thereof so as toenable this wearer to readily chase after the baby pigs, as well aseasily cross from one pen to another.

Likewise, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pigtreating apron containing various receptacles or pockets so as to enablethe carrying of all essential tools and medications.

A final significant object to be particularly mentioned involves theprovision of a means wherein a single person can quickly and easilytreat small pigs, the necessity of the use of another person to assistin the catching and holding of the pigs being eliminated.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view illustrating the apron comprisingthe present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a view illustrating the manner in which a baby pig is to bepositioned during the treatment of the rear portion of the pig;

FIGURE 3 is a view illustrating the positioning of the baby pig whileadministering oral medication;

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on a planepassing along line 4-4 in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on a planepassing along line 55 of FIGURE 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, reference numeralgenerally designates the apron comprising the present invention. Thisapron 10, provided with a reinforced edging 12 if so desired, consistsessentially of an upper body portion 14 and a lower bifurcated portion16, its lower bifurcated portion 16 forming two depending leg portions18 and 20 provided with a space 22 therebetween.

In order to secure the apron 10 to a wearer 24, an upper waistencircling adjustable belt 26 is provided. This belt 26 is provided witha buckle means 28 capable of adjusting to any size, the buckle means 28being posiice tioned so as to be located at the side of the wearerthereby avoiding any interference with the treatment of a baby pig 30.As best seen in FIGURE 1, the leg portions18 and 20 are also providedwith straps or belts 32 and 34, each positioned approximately mid-heightand including releasable clasps 36 and 38.

Positioned above and in alignment with the space 22 is a downwardlytapering pocket 40 open at both the upper end 42 and the lower end 44,with the lower end 44 terminating at the upper limit of the space 22 forreasons which shall be pointed out presently.

This pocket 40 is shaped so as to firmly receive a baby pig 30 in themanner illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3 to rigidly anchor the pig while itis being treated. In order to prevent the creeping out of the baby pig30, it is contemplated that a conically shaped metallic receptacle 46 beprovided within the pocket 40. This metallic receptacle 46, having anopen top 48 and an open lower end 50 is to be slightly longer than thepocket 40 so as to present a lower projecting portion 52 capable ofbeing grasped between the legs 54 and 56 of the wearer 24 of the device10, thereby providing a means for further stabilizing the held baby pig30.

In order to make the pig treating apron 10 completely self-contained, anenlarged pocket 58 is provided for enabling the convenient carrying ofvarious tools 60, and medications 62 to be used in the treatment of thepigs 30. Further, in order to insure proper sanitary methods oftreatment, it is contemplated that a third pocket 64 be provided, thispocket formed with a rigid leak-proof inner container 66, preferably ofa hard plastic, for the containing of a suitable disinfectant used forsterilizing the various tools or implements 60. If so desired, a cap orclosure member, not illustrated, can be provided for this pocket 64.

This apron, preferably made of heavy canvas, as are the pockets 40, 58,and 64 which are stitched thereto, is additionally intended to beprovided with a plurality of darts 68 so as to more readily conform theapron 10 to the wearer 24.

In view of the foregoing, it is considered to be readily apparent that anovel device has been defined which enables the treatment of baby pigsas a one-man operation. This is brought about by the use of a bodyencircling apron containing a bifurcated lower portion and a centrallylocated pig retaining receptacle, as well as various pockets for thecontaining of medication and tools, thus enabling the wearer of theapron to quickly catch and treat the individual baby pigs.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An apron for use when treating small pigs comprising, a body portion,the lower section of said body portion being bifurcated so as to formtwo spaced depending leg portions, a downwardly tapered pocket securedto the body portion centrally thereof substantially in line with thespace between the leg portions, the lower edge of the pocketsubstantially coinciding with the upper limit of the bifurcation, saidpocket being open at the top and bottom, and a'hollow tapered metallicreceptacle provided in said pocket.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the receptacle extends below theopen bottom of the pocket a sufficient distance so as to be graspedbetween the legs of a wearer of the apron.

3. A device for use in firmly securing a small pig during the treatmentof said pig comprising a flexible panel positionable .about the body ofa wearer of the device, said panel having a bifurcated lower section soas to form two spaced depending leg portions engageable over the legs ofthe wearer, the upper limit of the bifurcation being locatedsubstantially in the area of the groin when the device is positionedabout the body of a wearer, an elongated downwardly tapered receivingsocket secured to the panel centrally thereof in line with thebifurcation with the lower edge of the socket coinciding with the upperlimit of the bifurcation, said socket having an open top and bottom, anda hollow tapered rigid substantially smooth receptacle provided in saidsocket for the wedging reception of a substantial portion of a small pigtherein, said receptacle being longer than said socket and having itslower end extending through the open lower end of the socket a distancesufiicient so as to enable the wearer to grasp this lower end of thereceptacle between his legs for stabilizing the receptacle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,404,987 Lundquist Jan. 31, 1922 1,411,562 Christian Apr. 4, 19221,675,072 Watermon June 26, 1928 2,171,676 Wallace Sept. 5, 19392,319,938 Markins May 25, 1943 2,785,409 Lackey Mar. 19, 1957 2,788,767Dooley Apr. 16, 1957

1. AN APRON FOR USE WHEN TREATING SMALL PIGS COMPRISING, A BODY PORTION,THE LOWER SECTION OF SAID BODY PORTION BEING BIFURCATED SO AS TO FORMTWO SPACED DEPENDING LEGG PORTIONS, A DOWNWARDLY TAPERED POCKET SECUTEDTO THE BODY PORTION CENTRALLY THEREOF SUBSTANTIALLY IN LINE WITH THESPACE BETWEEN THE LEG PORTIONS, THE LOWER EDGE OF THE POCKETSUBSTANTIALLY COINCIDING WITH THE UPPER LIMIT OF THE BIFURCATION, SAIDPOCKET BEING OPEN AT THE TOP AND BOTTON, AND A HOLLOW TAPERED METALLICRECEPTACLE PROVIDED IN SAID POCKET.